Blog vs. Website

As you all know, the online world is expanding rapidly, raising a lot of questions about the most effective forms of online communication. Recently, we've had a lot of clients come into the office asking whether they would be better off starting a blog or building a website. While there is no right answer to this developing dilemma, we would like to offer some advice for choosing the right outlet for your business.

It's important to note that a blog is a website. It’s simply a more dynamic form of the traditionally static online source. Using a post based structure, content is updated frequently, and more opportunities for interaction between the company and reader are available through newsfeeds, events and social media.

While you can hire a web designer to build a multi-layer website for your business with numerous pages and eye-catching graphic elements, realize that with all of the blog software available, such as WordPress, you can create a blog with multiple pages all on your own. This is especially advantageous if you are an entrepreneur looking for a budget friendly option. Your readers might not even notice that it’s a blog rather than an official website.

The blog vs. website decision depends heavily on your business model and the understanding consumers have of your brand. Here are a couple things to think about when creating an online outlet for your business.

Blogs are great for businesses whose services and ideas change frequently and need to update online information on a regular basis. These are often creative businesses that engage in events, have direct interaction and receive feedback from clients, or are interested in advertising connections with clients. It's also less expensive because you don't need to work with a web developer every time you need to make an update.

On the other hand, business models that don’t include the responsibility of frequently updating company information, such as a medical practice or restaurant, are probably better off with a website.  These businesses will benefit from a simple site that offers customers an overview of the company, its policies and mission statement. It would also be valuable to work with a talented web developer if you have a shopping cart on your site. 

  

While most of us are familiar with the concept of a website, here are a few more tidbits of information about blogs to help you make your decision. 

• Blogs are less expensive because there is less money upfront and they are cheaper to maintain. 
• Blogs increase search engine optimization by automatically notifying the search engine that there is an update every time you make a post. 
• If your blog becomes popular, you may be able to make money by selling ad space. 
• Your clients can subscribe to your blog and receive notifications for every new post.
• Despite the common myth that blogging requires a large time commitment, making a daily blog post is much easier than contacting your web developer every time you want to update information.

Hopefully you have found this post helpful and are closer to making a decision. There is not a right or wrong answer and with the right elements, you are bound to find success either way you decide to go. There is no one that knows your business better than you, and based on that, you will ultimately make the right choice. If you are in need of a website, blog or a writer to keep content updated, please reach out to us. 

PS - Looks like we have another prince-in-training! Congrats to Prince William and Kate Middleton on their healthy baby boy! #RoyalBaby

By Rebecca Taylor, MDPR Team Member